TV show featuring ECU School of Music debuts

GREENVILLE, N.C.
(Mar. 16, 2009)
—
Greenville cable viewers will have access to a new music performance television program featuring faculty and students from the School of Music at East Carolina University.

“ECU School of Music Presents” is a 30-to-60 minute music performance and interview show airing on Suddenlink Cable Channel 99, also known as ECU-TV.

The first episode, featuring professor of guitar Elliot Frank, is scheduled to air March 16 at 8 p.m. and will repeat at 10 p.m. The show will also repeat at the same times on March 17 and March 21.

New shows will be aired as they are recorded and will be rebroadcast at various times.

The show’s host is Christopher Buddo, director of the School of Music.

“The faculty at the ECU School of Music includes world-class performers ¬– they truly appear in venues all over the world – and this program gives music aficionados in our region the opportunity to see and hear these gifted musicians play in the comfort of the viewer’s living room,” Buddo said. “And while it is impressive and fun to watch the student performances, it is important to remember that performance is part of the curriculum for many of these young men and women.”

Harley Dartt, assistant director at the School of Music and one of the show’s executive producers, said the format is designed for education as well as pleasure viewing.

“The various musical pieces are introduced and explained by the performers and faculty before each piece is performed, giving the audience unique insight into what they will hear,” Dartt said. “The taping format allows for multiple camera angles and very close shots of performers and instruments.”

The April show will feature Henry Doskey, pianist and chairman of the keyboard department, performing an all Chopin program. Future shows will include a variety of performances, including large ensemble vocal, percussion and steel drum, solo tuba and performances on historic instruments.

In addition to public broadcast, the music school will use the recorded programs for student recruitment and classroom education.